More Comfort Reads for Uncomfortable Times

                                               

I loved Simonson's Major Pettigrew's Last Stand so much that I reread it a week after finishing it.

And then I treated myself to two more of hers. The Summer Before the War (that's WWI) is set in a small English town and centers on a recently orphaned young woman who has been hired to teach Latin (over the objections of many who feel only a man should hold the post.) 

It's very much a novel of manners--Jane Austen would have recognized the petty snobberies and infighting of the townspeople. And she would have nodded appreciatively at the eventually happy ending. 

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club is set in 1919. WWI has ended; men are home from the front; and the women who have been praised for filling their places are being told they're no longer employable. 

Once again, Simonson reveals the strife, the class perceptions, and the basic unfairness at work. But once again, (this is a comfort read, after all) most things work out for the best. 

I've always been partial to English fiction, and especially that of the first half of the last century. These two did not disappoint.

Rabbit, Rabbit (Hare, Hare)

 

And It Snowed

 

Bracing for Another Snow Event

We came through the last one unscathed; now we're hoping to keep our power and water in this weekend's weather. 

May all be well for all of us! 

And Another Snow Day

 

Heroes Among Us

I'm thinking of Alex Pretti, who was murdered  while bearing witness to the brutal tactics of ICE, while trying to assist a woman they had knocked to the ground.

And I'm thinking of all the brave folks out in freezing weather with their cameras--still bearing witness despite the federal government's attempts to intimidate them.

Getting rid of Bovino is just a start. He and Noem and Steven Miller need to be held accountable for this brutal gang of thugs. As does the president, at whose desk the buck famously stops. 

ICE should be removed from MN. They should be unmasked, fitted with ID and body cameras, and demilitarized. Most importantly, they should NOT enjoy immunity, as this regime has suggested.

May we all be as brave as Pretti and those hardy Minnesotans!

Oops! This was meant to post on the 28th. These snow days make it hard for me to keep track of the date. 

 

Birds Against ICE

 

New Dog in the Holler!

We celebrated Justin and Claui's birthdays Saturday night and they brought up Claui's birthday present--a handsome young guy who is a real sweetie.

Claui favored Cannoli (a nod to the black dots) as a name; Justin suggested Moby (the pup is going to be large). They may have settled on Moby Wan Cannoli

Otter isn't thrilled; she prefers being an only. But signs are she'll adjust. Josie is in love.

We were happy to be able to have the birthday dinner without losing power or, indeed, having any really adverse weather. 

We had a yummy Salmon Wellington--salmon topped with a mix of spinach and Boursin, wrapped in puff pastry with a creamy, lemony sauce.  And there was lemon curd and chocolate pie. 

NOTE As Monday morning, no big weather event so far, thank goodness! Just a little snow and Very cold. Still have power and running water!

 

Dear Sirs

                                                       

 Your president has dragged the US into the company of dictators and strongmen, while alienating the civilized nations of the world. He continues to enrich himself and his family and his billionaire donors, and propose vanity projects while ignoring the very real needs of the country. The corruption , the pay to play is rampant. Impeach Trump.

Meanwhile, the so-called Justice Department does not release the Epstein Files. Impeach Bondi.

And the out of control masked ICE thugs continue to terrorize Democrat-aligned cities, kidnapping children, attacking observers, and seemingly attempting to inspire violence. The murder Saturday of an observer who was filming them is abhorrent, as was the murder of Good and others.  Will you condone the lack of accountability the ICE thugs seem to enjoy? Defund ICE; impeach Noem.

I am ashamed of my country and want it back.

Aging Amaryllis

I'm always captivated by fading flowers and the changes in color and texture. They seem to age more gracefully than most people.

Some folks fight age for all they're worth--diet, exercise, dye, cosmetic surgery, makeup, denial. I, all too obviously, just succumb to nature, gravity, and my inner swamp witch.

After spending the first half of my twenties wearing uncomfortable clothes (heels, stockings, panty girdles, mandated by the prep school where I taught,) as well as makeup and coiffed hair (rollers and a hairdryer,) it was a relief to spend a summer wearing jeans and riding on the back of a motorcycle. And then to teach at a school where the dress code was quite relaxed.

And then to move to rural western North Carolina where there was no dress code. I had found my spiritual home.

And I'm still in that state of grace.

Note: who knows what the power situation will be for the next several days. Don't be surprised if I don't post.

 

Waiting for the Winter Storm

 

A Perfect Comfort Read

A lovely book, as comforting as a comfy chair and a really hot cup of tea. I was captured on the first page and, apart from picking up Josie and grocery shopping in advance of the predicted storm, I was engrossed in a compelling story with just enough obstacles and difficulties to keep one reading and cheering for a good outcome.

Major Pettigrew is the sort of man the world needs and his story is a welcome escape from the headlines. It's like a warm hug.

I                                       

These Are Not Normal Times

 I used to hear right-wingers talking about "suffering under" Obama or Biden and I wonder just what that suffering consisted of or if it in any way could compare to the existential dread I feel on reading the news every morning.

I can remember praying with my grandmother for an end to Stalin. I no longer believe in the power of prayer but I can wish with all my heart . . .

Meanwhile I email my congressmen--pretty hopeless, as at least two of them are firmly in the cult and Tillis, though he's not seeking re-election and occasionally shows signs of remembering he once had balls, is still not free of MAGA.

May the Blue Wave come and wash away the orange stain on our country. (That's as close to prayer as I get,)